If you are pursuing a car accident claim in the Haines City, Florida area, negotiating with insurance companies will most likely be a crucial part of the process. You might not have to go to trial or even sue, but you will probably have to talk to an insurance company sooner or later.
In these situations, it’s important to have an experienced auto accident lawyer in Haines City, Florida by your side. After all, if you refuse a fair settlement from the insurance company, you could end up losing everything — even if you have a strong case.
What makes this more complicated is that, at first, insurance companies will typically offer less money than you should get. If you accept this small offer, you cannot ask for more money later. This can be a problem when you realize that your injuries or losses from the accident were much worse than you thought.
Are you wondering how to proceed with your situation? To help you decide, we are going to discuss some of the key things you should know below.
Florida’s stance on settlements
Trials take time and money. If every car accident case went to trial, it would overwhelm the courts and cost taxpayers. This is why Florida law encourages people to accept fair settlement offers without going to trials. In fact, according to F.S. 768.79, if the defendant offers a settlement that the plaintiff does not accept within 30 days and the court’s final decision is within 25% of that offer, the plaintiff has to pay reasonable costs and attorney’s fees incurred by the defendant.
How are car accident cases valued?
Figuring out the value of a car accident case is not always easy since there are often several crucial factors at play. Your auto accident lawyer in Haines City, Florida will investigate the following factors:
- How serious are your injuries, and what medical care might you need in the future because of these injuries?
- How many others were injured in the accident?
- How much insurance coverage is available?
- Whether you were at fault for the accident.
- If the other driver was very reckless, possibly driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs (DUI).
- Whether you might get extra money for punishment (like in DUI cases).
- How difficult is it to prove how badly you were injured?
Should you handle negotiations on your own?
In most cases, it’s best to avoid talking to the insurance companies by yourself. You could end up accepting too little or refusing a good offer, which means you might lose your case or not get as much money as you need and deserve. Sometimes, the insurance company might offer you a quick settlement. This settlement might be all you need, but it might also not be enough to cover your needs, like medical bills or car repairs. You can’t ask for more money later if you say yes to this offer without knowing better.
On the other hand, you might think the insurance company’s offer is too low and decide to say no, hoping to get more money later. But this can be a problem too. You’ll need to know how much your case is worth so that you can say yes to an offer that is truly fair.
An experienced auto accident lawyer in Haines City, Florida will help you understand the value of your car accident case and negotiate with the insurance company on your behalf. This will increase your chances of getting a fair settlement.
A reputable accident lawyer in Haines City, Florida will also know when an offer is too low, and when it’s a good idea to say yes to a settlement. They can stop you from making quick decisions that you might regret later. In other words, you have a better chance of getting enough money to cover all your costs from the accident when you have a lawyer on your side.
Looking for an Auto Accident Lawyer in Haines City, Florida?
Are you ready to partner with an experienced auto accident lawyer in Haines City, Florida who could help you navigate the complexities of your case? If so, Tonya Stewart and her legal team at Tonya Stewart Law PA are just a call away. Contact us today at (863) 279-4473 to learn how we can help.